Values from Mahabharata

Values from Mahabharata

Mahabharata, one of the two great epics of India, will remain apt to human even today. Although the Mahabharata mostly focuses on war, there are many life lessons and philosophies to be learned from it. Every character we meet in our life reflects some character of Mahabharata. Some as Krishna, some as Sakuni, some as Karna, everyone around us remembers some Mahabharata character. To that extent, Mahabharata plays an important role in our lives. In this part, we can see who are the characters who gave compelling life philosophies in Mahabharata.

Krishna's advice to Arjuna, who hesitated to fight against his brothers before the start of the war, is celebrated and well reversed text by the people of the world as the Bhagavad Gita. What Krishna is saying is that sometimes one has to stand up to one's family to save dharma. Any war must first have a plan, going into war without a plan will only lead to failure.

Krishna’s role in Mahabharata teaches us that “The end is not determined by the path”. In order to make the Pandavas victorious in the Mahabharata war, Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, did countless wrongdoings. Although his lies and backbiting helped the Pandavas win the war, the Pandavas lost heavily in that struggle. After the war, Hasthinapuram became a home for widows and destitute children.

Arjuna’s life teaches us that one should always respect Dignity for women. Nothing worse than a woman's anger Arjuna ignored the advances of Urvashi, the heavenly dancing maiden. She cursed that Arjuna would lose his manhood for a year due to this. The valiant Arjuna remained a slave for a year. So, no one should insult women.

Gandhari lived in darkness all her life blindfolded for her sightless husband Dhritarashtra. Gandhari's life teaches us that any action taken for love is right.

Sahadeva is an unparalleled astrologer. He knows very well what the outcome of the war will be. However, he remained silent. Sahadeva's life teaches us a powerful lesson that if we take a vow we must stick to it till the end under any circumstances.

Karna is a heroic but misunderstood hero. His life tells us that we should never give up. Persistence will earn you recognition, even if you have a low start.

Shakuni's life teaches us that intelligence and cunning can give us initial success. But if we don't follow dharma, we will end up facing failure.

Abhimanyu's life shows us what courage means. Abhimanyu's life says that the future is anyone who will stand against wrongdoing and protect his family. The bravery of Abhimanyu who bravely entered the Chakra Vyuga to protect his family despite knowing that he could not come out of the Chakra Vyuga was above all else.

Abhimanyu’s life also teaches us that “Half-Knowledge is Dangerous”. Arjuna's son Abhimanyu knows the only way to break the chakram and get inside, but doesn't know how to get out. However, Abhimanyu lost his life as a result of his attempt to penetrate this fierce form of warfare. This is why it is said that half knowledge is dangerous. Whatever you learn, learn it thoroughly!

Abhimanyu's wife of Uttarā allowed Abhimanyu to go to war even though she was afraid that he would never return alive from the war. Uttara's life tells the story that It doesn't matter how much you like someone, if their duty calls, send them to do it.

Draupadi's life conveys an important life lesson that if you harm a woman's dignity, you are doomed. Draupadi's life shows that anyone who criticizes a woman should be punished like the Kauravas.

Draupadi’s life also teaches us that One can’t get everything in life. As a result of the penance, she did in her previous birth, she asked Lord Shiva for the boon of a man who is valiant, honest, physically strong, most learned and the most beautiful in the world as her husband. She got what she asked for, but from 5 different husbands. The justice of this story is that no one person can have all these 5 qualities and you don't get everything you want.

Bhishma’s life teaches us many things. Bhishma had taken a vow to protect the Hastinapura palace and the Kauravas. But his heart was filled with love for the Pandavas. What his life implies is that if he takes the vow, even if they are dear to him, they must become the opposite.

Selfless, but short-sighted Bhishma, the eldest elder of the Hashtinapura royal family and a valiant warrior, had few opportunities to save his people and his kingdom. He did not give up his celibacy, pleading with Bhishma's daughter several times to get the kingdom and get married. Not being self-righteous, even he could not avoid war.

Sanjayan tells us that even if the truth is bitter, tell it to your loved ones so that they accept it. When the Kauravas lost the battle and even when they died, Sanjaya told Dhritarashtra without concealing anything.

Kunti’s life teaches us “Think twice before You Act”. After Arjuna's victory in Draupadi's Swayamvara, when he brought her to Kunti, Goddess Kunti was cooking. Ignoring what prize Arjuna won, she said that all the brothers should share the prize he won. So, don't leave any word without knowing the consequences of what you say.

Dhritarashtra’s life teaches us “Blind Love is Dangerous”. Even Dhritarashtra, the blind king of Hashtinapura, has made a mistake. He loved his children so much that he did not condemn anyone. This is a must read for every father and mother. Get your kids right before they get completely spoiled. There is no benefit from blind love.